World No. 1 Novak Djokovic beat Russia’s Roman Safiulin 6-1, 6-2 at the Monte Carlo Masters, easing into the third day on Tuesday after a rain delay Round three.
Djokovic, who withdrew from the recent Miami Open to balance his schedule, looked fresh when he broke Safiullin’s serve three times in the first set, and two more breaks in the second set were enough to seal the victory. The Serbian, the 2013 and 2015 champion, will meet the winner of France’s Arthur Fels and Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti later on Tuesday in the second round. Musetti defeated Djokovic in the third round last year.
Hubert Hurkacz advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2) victory, but the British player initially looked dominant as the Polish No. 10 seed Jack Draper had to contend with him. Hurkacs once led 3-0 in the first set, but Draper tied the score at 4-4, and then the Pole broke to win the first set. Draper then broke serve twice and prevailed for love, winning the second set and forcing a decider.
After Hurkac won 5-4 on serve, Draper broke, but in the tie-break Hurkac was relieved to win. Hulkac, who also defeated Draper in last year’s event, will face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round.
Alex De Minaur easily overcame a challenge from former champion Stan Wawrinka, winning 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the second round. Wawrinka won the title in 2014 but a decade later the 39-year-old Swiss was no match for the Australian 11th seed, who needed just 24 minutes to finish off the bagel in the second set and win Will face Talon Grixpool.
Sebastian Korda also eased into second place with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over 2022 finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina round, but he will face a tougher test when he faces world number two Jannik Sinner in the next round. “Obviously, he’s probably the best tennis player in the world right now,” Korda said before meeting the Australian Open champion. “He’s had an unbelievable season and this will be the first time we meet on clay. I’m just going to try to go out there and do my best and see what happens.”
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with an arm injury and his second-round spot was replaced by lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego, who will face Felix Auger-Aliassime . Alcaraz may also focus on preparations for the French Open, which begins on May 20.
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Alcaraz posted on social media: “I have been working in Monte Carlo until the last moment trying to recover from the pronator teres injury in my right arm, but it was impossible and I was unable to compete.” I’m really looking forward to the competition. See you next year.”
